Rick

Lakers Nation!

[Kristopher London @IamKrisLondon]

Yo LeBron can’t just sign a vet minimum in LA?

[Anthony F. Irwin @AnthonyIrwinLA]

Swapping LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard for Mamu, Grimes and maybe Kessler/Duren… when the standard Rob set was to build a title contender for Luka after kicking the can to get here… yeesh.

[Trevor Lane @TrevorLane]

My thoughts on LA’s moves-

-I like all the players they targeted individually in a vacuum

-I question the fit, especially defensively. They also don’t have a starting level wing, though the roster isn’t finished

-I don’t love the value of any of the deals. Kessler’s contract is about right but would have liked to have sent back Vando to open more flexibility if giving up that much draft capital. Feels like LA paid a ceiling-level price on all 3 of Mamu, Grimes, and Sexton and then added player options on top.

-Did get younger, backcourt offense and center rotation are real strengths. Love Ayton slotted as a reserve, great quality there. Need Kessler to be a top-tier rim protector/rebounder.

-Athleticism is lacking, including lateral quickness on defense.

-For those hoping to see the young guys play more, Redick has basically no choice but to feed minutes immediately to Thiero and perhaps Carr as well both in terms of positional need and due to the above point about athleticism. Great if both pop, at least one doing so is a downright necessity.

-Two roster spots open, keeping an eye on a waive and stretch with Vando to open $ flexibility and one extra spot. Any 3/4 on the market could be sold on stepping into a potential starting role in LA from day 1, though $ and players to spend on are limited.

[PlayoffLAL @PlayoffLAL]

This team is a 1st round exit/swept in the 2nd round again

[Lakers All Day Everyday @LADEig]

CRAZY BUT TRUE: Austin Reaves is now the OLDEST player on the Lakers 🤯

[Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 @SGVNSports]

Lakers should have got rid of Rob Pelinka when Mark Walter took over.

[NBATradeReport @NBATradeReport]

The Lakers have no tradeable first-round picks over the next seven years and have committed $475 million to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. #NBA

[Jake Weinbach @JWeinbachNBA]

The Lakers’ updated roster:

Luka Doncic
Austin Reaves
Walker Kessler
Collin Sexton
Quentin Grimes
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Deandre Ayton
Jake LaRavia
Jarred Vanderbilt
Cameron Carr
Dalton Knecht
Adou Thiero
Bronny James

[Polymarket Hoops @PolymarketHoops]

The Lakers won’t have a tradeable first-round draft pick for the next SEVEN (!!) years after this sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler.

Insanity. 🤯🤯🤯

[Rick @_PrettyRicky_]

I don’t like these deals man, especially for these players. Our bench still ass. Our starting 5 is weak

[Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42]

The Jazz should have asked for the Hollywood sign in the trade also.

[Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 @JoshEberley]

There’s no way the Lakers sat down in this special meeting with Luka and were like, “We will get rid of LeBron and build you a worse version of what you had in Dallas.” But that is in fact what they are doing.

[KOBE @itspikaaa]

I need Jeanie and Pelinka gone expeditiously

[Witness King James @WITNESSKJ]

LeBron averages by team:

👑 Cavs — 27/7/7
👑 Heat — 27/8/7
👑 Lakers — 26/8/8

We’ll NEVER see this again…

[The Lakers Review @TheLakersReview]

moving on from ‘Bron and perhaps Smart tells me the Lakers are really trying to get younger.

[LeBron James @KingJames]

No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the 💜💛 while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint. 🙏🏾🫡👑

[Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers]

Thank you, LeBron 💜💛

[Ryan Rueda @PlayoffDude]

Ngl, I’m going to miss LeBron, man, but I think it’s best for both sides to move on. The Lakers should focus on building around Luka and AR, getting younger, and creating a team for the future.

Don’t get me wrong, LeBron is still playing at an elite level despite his age. He proved that during the last playoff run, especially when he was able to outplay the MVP.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

After eight seasons with the Lakers, including leading the franchise to the 2020 NBA championship, James departs and enters free agency set to join a new team.

Lakers president Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul spoke a short time ago about the four-time champion's plans, sources said. James chose to inform the Lakers well before start of free agency tonight out of courtesy and appreciation for their run together, and to allow LA to conduct its offseason business.

[Rick @_PrettyRicky_]

It’s the Luka era now 👀 Bron still my goat tho